HOUSTON (March 18, 2019) – The American Heart Association’s mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives – and it starts with solid leadership. Patrick Carter, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.F.P., Chief of Family Medicine and Medical Director of Care Coordination and Quality Improvement at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, began a two-year term as a board member of the American Heart Association Houston Board in November 2018. Dr. Carter joins a robust team of community leaders, working together to improve heart health outcomes for all Houstonians.
“I am honored to serve the American Heart Association in the capacity as board member,” said Dr. Carter. “Kelsey-Seybold Clinic physicians are committed to evidence-based care to help improve risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The AHA is committed to helping organizations like ours by funding research, advocating for stronger public health policies, and sharing essential educational resources.”
Dr. Carter has practiced Family Medicine and Geriatrics at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic since 1994. He is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and he holds the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine, granted by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is also certified as a Physician Executive by the American Association for Physician Leadership. Dr. Carter is a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, American Academy of Family Physicians (Fellow), Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Harris County Academy of Family Physicians (Past President), and American Association for Physician Leadership.
AHA’s Executive Director and Senior Vice President for Greater Houston Yara El-Sayed Guest said she is grateful to add Dr. Carter’s expertise, experience, and standard of excellence to the Houston board. “We are honored that Dr. Carter has agreed to serve in this capacity and help further our mission, ensuring that every member of our Greater Houston community has the opportunity to live a longer, healthier life.”
Dr. Carter contributes daily to the AHA’s mission in his role as a Clinical Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He is also Chair of the Department of Family Medicine as well as Medical Director for Care Coordination and Quality Improvement at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.
Dr. Carter has led the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Quality Improvement team from its inception and has hired a dedicated team to evaluate and improve on processes and procedures, including clinical enhancements that influence interactions and improve outcomes for patients at risk, or living with, chronic conditions that impact heart health or stroke.
Dr. Carter received undergraduate degrees in honors biology and chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, Illinois and his Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University.
Dr. Carter has been recognized with national certifications for excellence in caring for diabetic patients and heart/stroke patients, awarded by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Certification through these programs comes after a comprehensive, individualized review process to verify a physician’s adherence to national standards of excellence in caring for patients diagnosed with these conditions.
Dr. Carter has also received many awards, including the Leonard D. Moise Teaching Award from the Family Medicine Residency Program at Baylor College of Medicine and was named Harris County Family Physician of the Year by the Harris County Academy of Family Physicians. He was appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Board of Directors of the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency and serviced on that board from 2012 to 2015. He also served as a member of the Texas Medical Association Council on Legislation from 2010 to 2017.